Critic Reviews

As you can probably tell by now, there's a lot in Jagged Alliance 2, and it would take forever to say everything about it. You're probably thinking the simple fun of the original is gone. Well, it's not. The game takes all these complex elements and molds them together so well that you don't even think about them while playing. Sometimes I forget I have a country to save and just try crazy stuff like we all did in the first game. Probably the most complex thing you have to think about is when to quit--this game is so involving underneath, yet so simple on top. It won't appeal to everyone right away, but spend some time with it and it will have you hooked.

Taken as a whole, Jagged Alliance 2 is a near perfect mix of complexity, detail, and playability. It's not a game for the twitch crowd, nor is it one for gamers weaned on Clone & Conquer strategy titles; though there is a "real time" component on the strategic map and when not in combat on the tactical maps, this is at heart a true turn-based game. There is no multiplayer support, either, as the design team axed it long ago along with real-time combat, so online fanatics won't find anything here to hold their attention. Yet, for everyone else who values a deep, immersive, and highly polished game experience, this game is unbeatable. You have to like tactical combat, you have to like detail, and you have to like a certain degree of micromanagement, but if you do, this one's for you.

This is really one of the better games that's been released in the last few months. Despite some of its flaws it's a really immersive experience, with a combat system so satisfying you could hug it and take it to bed with you. Every minute I write this is another minute I am not playing JA2, i'ts soothing longing voice is calling for me.

Jagged Alliance 2 is surprisingly well thought of in the retro gaming world, and it’s easy to see why, the gameplay is solid, it’s deep enough to have a good bit of replayability, and the characters are memorable and enjoyable, mostly. I’d highly recommend it if you’re a fan of Fallout or you’re interested in a quality strategy-RPG hybrid, or even just a fan of cheesy ’80s action movies in general.

Taken as a whole, JA2 is one of the most intriguing, complex, addictive strategy titles I have ever played. If its graphics fall behind the current technology curve, this only serves to highlight the attention to quality that has gone into every other aspect. Its combination of real-time and turn-based unit manipulation is nearly perfect. A compelling tactical engine might be enough for most titles, but JA2 throws in the need to monitor a larger strategic context and manage resources through the acquisition of mines and the money they can produce. And this doesn’t even mention the sub-game of mercenary recruitment and management that may be JA2′s best feature. These elements come together in a way that allows no one portion to overshadow the others, while still developing each enough to call it one of JA2′s strengths. This title was a long time coming, but the reward is that, with the obvious quality that has gone into its design, strategy fans will be a long time playing it, too.

Ultimately, JAGGED ALLIANCE 2 is probably too tough and too slow-paced for the casual gamer, and the somewhat crude graphics may leave newer gamers wondering what the fuss is all about. But hardcore gamers looking for a serious challenge may not find a more satisfying, entertaining, turn-based strategy game this year.

I love this game! What can I say? It's fun, thought-provoking, stimulating, engaging, deep, memorable, nuanced. I wish I could use the Jagged Alliance 2 setup to beat on my friends, i.e., play this kind of chess against other people.

Like X-COM: UFO Defense before it, the original Jagged Alliance was a complex turn-based strategy game that gained a loyal following almost entirely through positive word of mouth. Yet while X-COM had you commanding squads of marines against alien invaders, Jagged Alliance, as its name suggests, put you in charge of a bunch of ragtag mercenaries, many of whom had their own agendas and wouldn't always follow orders.

Even with the slight downfalls, I can't say enough good things about Jagged Alliance 2. In the end, the game offers up lots of fun without bogging you down in too much micro-management -- the bane of many turn-based strategy games. It will certainly keep you busy for a long time and is a game that's well worth the money spent. You're not going to want to miss this one if you're into turn-based strategy gaming, and it may have enough hooks without being too in-depth to attract a few action gamers as well.